Evaluation of Interprofessional Education on Effective Communication Between Pharmacy and Physician Assistant Students

Lucio R Volino; Lindsay A Brust-Sisti; Sarah Patel; Dipali Yeh; Mei T Liu; Thea Cogan-Drew; J Scott Parrott

doi:10.1097/JPA.0000000000000432

Evaluation of Interprofessional Education on Effective Communication Between Pharmacy and Physician Assistant Students

J Physician Assist Educ. 2022 Jun 1;33(2):114-118. doi: 10.1097/JPA.0000000000000432. Epub 2022 May 5.

Authors

Lucio R Volino^{1

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7}, Lindsay A Brust-Sisti^{1

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7}, Sarah Patel^{1

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7}, Dipali Yeh^{1

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7}, Mei T Liu^{1

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7}, Thea Cogan-Drew^{1

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7}, J Scott Parrott^{1

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7}

Affiliations

¹ Lucio R. Volino, PharmD , is a clinical associate professor in the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in Piscataway, New Jersey.
² Lindsay A. Brust-Sisti, PharmD , is a clinical assistant professor in the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in Piscataway, New Jersey.
³ Sarah Patel, DScPAS, PA-C, MBA , is a lecturer in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Practice at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in Piscataway, New Jersey.
⁴ Dipali Yeh, MS, PA-C , is an assistant professor and coordinator for Simulation and Interprofessional Education, Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Practice, at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in Piscataway, New Jersey.
⁵ Mei T. Liu, PharmD , is a clinical assistant professor in the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in Piscataway, New Jersey.
⁶ Thea Cogan-Drew, MMSc, PA-C , is a lecturer in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Practice at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in Piscataway, New Jersey.
⁷ J. Scott Parrott, PhD , is the director of the School of Health Professions Methodology and Statistics Support Team, a professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Rutgers School of Health Professions, and an adjunct professor in the Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology at Rutgers School of Public Health in Blackwood, New Jersey.

PMID: 35511459
DOI: 10.1097/JPA.0000000000000432

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) on student self-perceived competencies and perceptions of interprofessional (IP) communication and teamwork in a clinical case review activity. TeamSTEPPS is an evidence-based curriculum that is used to enhance and support IP healthcare communication.

Methods: A repeated-measures, pretest/posttest study evaluated physician assistant students' and student pharmacists' perceptions of TeamSTEPPS. Students completed Performance Assessment for Communication and Teamwork (PACT) surveys, evaluating teamwork, knowledge, attitudes, and skills perceptions before and after a TeamSTEPPS lecture and associated activity with peer feedback.

Results: Overall, 87.4% (n = 429) completed pre- and post-PACT surveys. Apart from the Mutual Support domain (p = .898), all changes were significantly positive (p < .004), with the greatest improvements occurring in the Attitudes and Perceived Skills domains.

Conclusion: TeamSTEPPS IP education, application, and peer feedback improved students' perceptions of multiple domains, including effective communication. Using TeamSTEPPS tools in IP formats enabled the students to safely practice and collaborate in preparation for clinical practice.

MeSH terms

Communication
Humans
Interprofessional Education
Interprofessional Relations
Patient Care Team
Pharmacy*
Physician Assistants* / education
Students